Disclaimer - I don't own Twilight, but I do own a new outfit, just need shoes to match!
A/N - Sorry it's been a while, but I've been so busy with my studies (Or at least trying to study!) and have assignments coming out of my ears. This chapter is short, but I hope it's the beginning of the next stage for our darling boy! Enjoy and review xx
Chapter 5 – The Past BPOV
I watched Edward walk back inside, his tall lean body coiled with anger. I took out another cigarette and lit it while I flicked through his file. It made no mention of his dad leaving, but I wasn't really surprised at that, after all, it wasn't something he would have shared with the police. I made a note of his mother's address and made my way back to the tiny office.
To look at him, it was hard to remember that he was the same age as me, the anger in his eyes made him seem so much older. Hi angular face was so handsome; he was on the verge of being described as beautiful. His green eyes that, when they actually met my eyes, seemed to see into my very soul. His fashionably messy hair that many a male model had tried to create but looked natural and effortless was the most amazing bronze colour. I had never seen hair that colour before.
I wasn't sure how to make him open up to me. It was easier with the younger ones, a trip to the cinema or bowling followed up by good old junk food usually had them spilling their guts in no time, but Edward was different. I wanted to help him. Direct him onto the right path. I was going back to the States in six months, and hoped it would be enough time. I didn't want to start getting through to the core of his problems and have to just up and leave.
I sat at my messy desk pen in hand trying to put onto paper my report of the first meeting. Edward is very closed off and there is anger just below the façade he has created for anyone in authority. When I mentioned his father, anger and resentment came to the surface and he states that his father may as well be dead. His father leaving him and his mother is obviously a considerable factor in his current attitude to life.
I couldn't think of any more to write, so I slid the report into the file and put it in my inbox, knowing I would have to try to speak to Edward again. I grabbed my coat, and headed out just as Esme, the day supervisor started her shift. I quickly explained where I was going before heading out to my car.
After checking the A to Z I navigated my way across London, finally finding Edward's mother's home. A small mid terraced house which was well worn although well looked after. I locked up my car and went to knock on the door. Before my knuckles could make contact with the wooden door it swung open. A woman who looked younger than her years nearly walked into me. I instantly saw where Edward got his good looks from. His mother was stunning, but the stress was clear on her face, like a tattoo of sorts.
"Who are you?" She blurted out.
"Sorry to startle your Mrs Masen. My name is Bella Swan and I'm from New Directions. Would it be possible to have a moment of your time?" I could tell instantly that she knew why I was here.
"Would you mind waiting? I need to run to the shop, I've run out of milk." She smiled shyly at me.
"I'll walk with you, I need some more smokes." I followed her to the small shop at the end of the road.
"How is he?" The sadness in her voice when she spoke about her son engulfed me. This woman loved him, just didn't know him anymore.
"He's ok. He came to us last night. I managed to have a quick chat with him earlier this morning."
"I'm just glad he's safe. I didn't want to give him an ultimatum, but I couldn't cope anymore." She managed to hold the tears that were forming.
We entered the small shop. Mrs Masen smiled at the young girl behind the counter as she made her way to the fridge holding the milk. I paid for my cigarettes and waited outside so I could have a smoke. Soon, we were walking back to the small house.
"Would you like a drink Ms Swan?" Edward's mother held the kettle under the tap.
"That would be lovely, but please, call me Bella."
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" I liked the way she cut through all the bull and got straight to the point.
"I just wanted to know a bit more about Edward's background. He said that he's only been living this life for the past three years."
"It all began when his father ran off with a girl from Edward's school. His father was an English teacher and began an affair with a girl in Edward's year. When she finished her exams, they just up and left the country. Apparently they're very happy and are expecting their second baby. Their son was born six months after they left." I took the kettle from her shaking hands and finished making the drinks to prevent her from scalding herself. "They named him Edward too. After his father. My boy just couldn't handle the rejection. His father wasn't the most attentive, but to be cast aside for a baby with the same name was the icing on the cake."
"That's why he considers his father dead to him." I murmured.
"Yes." She'd heard me. "That's when he stopped going to school. He hated the teachers and other students knowing all the sordid details. He only ever spent time with his best friends. Emmett and Jasper are good kids really. Not the most academic, but they loved my boy in their own way." I understood why it was so painful for Edward to talk about his father. "It didn't help that the newspapers got involved. The local rag splashed pictures of his father all over their pages. There was an outcry."
I stayed with Mrs Masen for a while longer before excusing myself to get back to the hostel. I needed to speak to Edward again. I knew he wasn't going to be happy that I'd spoken to his mother, but I would deal with that.